The Vancouver Foodster Taco Challenge was a huge success featuring 8 taco creations from restaurants around Vancouver, North Vancouver and Richmond. Each restaurant featured their taco creation from May 9-31, 2014. Our media judging panel determined the ultimate winners of the challenge, and this was quite the task as each judge who tasted each creation with a rigorous process based on taste, originality/uniqueness and presentation/appearance.
Our Media judges for this challenge were: Kelly Marion, Joe Leary, Alyssa Dawson and Alvin Lee.
The Winners are:
1st Place: Taco Canaco
El Azteca Mexican Kitchen & Bar
Description: Salmon scallops sprout mix – house-made gluten free tortilla – arugula garlic and a cilantro tequila based salsa
Created by: Chef Jesus Brown Garcia
El Azteca Mexican Kitchen & Bar
1130 Mainland Street, Vancouver
Tel: 604-638-0127
Web: http://elaztecavancouver.com/
Twitter: @elaztecavan
Chef Jesus Brown Garcia
2nd Place: Taco Chorizo Taco
Pier 7 Restaurant
Description: Olive oil roasted pacific octopus, chorizo sofrito, blackened corn
Created by: Chef Michael Mikoda
Pier 7 Restaurant
25 Wallace Mews Rd, North Vancouver
Tel: 604-929-7437
Web: http://pierseven.ca/
Twitter: @pier7restaurant
Chef Michael Mikoda
3rd Place: Papito Fish Tacos
Blue Canoe Restaurant
Description: Smoked paprika spiced fish, jicama slaw, salsa fresca, avocado crema and corn tortillas.
Created by: Executive Chef Danilo Ibarra
Location: 140-3866 Bayview Street, Richmond
Tel: 604-275-7811
Web: http://www.bluecanoerestaurant.com
Twitter: @bluecanoeresto
In the People’s Choice Awards category, the public who tried the Taco dishes were the ones who had the opportunity to cast their vote throughout the challenge.
The Winners are:
1st Place People’s Choice:
Chimichurri Steak Tacos
American Grille
Created by: Chef Jaspere Regalado
Description: Juicy marinated flank steak on a bed of slow-cooked, marinated onions and topped with pico de gallo and cilantro chimichuri. Served with a side of chipotle cream and lime wedge. Comes with soup, salad or fries.
American Grille
7571 Westminster Highway, Richmond
Tel: 604-232-2804
Web: http://americangrille.blogspot.ca/
Twitter: @GrilleYVR
2nd Place People’s Choice:
Taco Canaco
El Azteca Mexican Kitchen & Bar
Created by: Chef Jesus Brown Garcia
Description: Salmon scallops sprout mix – house-made gluten free tortilla – arugula garlic and a cilantro tequila based salsa
El Azteca Mexican Kitchen & Bar
1130 Mainland Street, Vancouver
Tel: 604-638-0127
Web: http://elaztecavancouver.com/
Twitter: @elaztecavan
3rd Place People’s Choice:
The Zissou
Café for Contemporary Art
Created by: Chef Steve
Description: Breaded Basa (baked), Chipotle Yogurt/Mayo, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Pickled Red Onion, and Coleslaw.
Café for Contemporary Art
140 Esplanade E, North Vancouver
Tel: (778) 340-3379
Web: http://cafeforcontemporaryart.com/
Twitter: @cafca140
Thank you to all the chefs, restaurants that accepted my invitation and featured their tacos on the menu for the past few weeks during this challenge.
I encourage you to visit the winning restaurants to try their Taco creations! See all the 8 Taco entries here.
By: Richard Wolak